Interchangeable-initial plate



W. W. WATTEHS.

INTERCHANGEABLE INITIAL PLATE.

APPucATloN FILED ocT.19, 1920.

1,387,217 l Patented Aug. 9, 1921.

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WILLIAM' W WATTERS, OF NEW R(lJEIJE, NEW YORK.

INTERCHANG-EAZBLE-INITIAL PLATE.

changeable-Initial Plates, of which the fol? lowing is a specification.

This invention relates to initial plates such as are used on automobiles.

The obj ects of the invention are to provide a-device of this character which will bevor,- namental and attractive in appearance, relatively simple and inexpensive, which can be readily secured in' position and in which the linitials or other 'members will be readily interchangeable.

In, the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification, I have illustrated the invention embodied in a simple preferred4 form, but wish it understood that the same may be modified in certain respects without departure from the true spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined and claimed.

Figure 1 of the said drawing is a front' or face view of the complete device.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same on an enlarged scale, and showing one Vmethod of applying the sametoa Vdesired support, this Iview being taken subtantially on the plane of the line Q-Q of Fig. 3 is a transverse ofvertical sectional view as taken substantially on the plane ofthe line 3-8 of Fig. 1.l

Fig. 4 is a similar viewillustrating a: dif-l ferent means of' mounting.

Fig. 5 is detached perspective view of thespring fastening boltl employed in Fig.

4, and Figs. 6, 7 andS are broken detail.

views.v Y

The interchangeableinitial members which are designated 7 are in the form yof plates bearing the desired let-ters, numerals or the like, and having their Vupperl and lower shoulders cut back, or reducedk as indicated.

at 8 in 3, so as to bring their faces flush with the supporting frame 9.

This frame is relatively .thin7 is of open construction and has -inwardlyfextending flanges l0 at thefront thereof to confine the initial members therein. I' i The interchangeable members'are' "designed entirely to, fill tl 1e"fr'a1ne.'l Toi-alllow for a-certain latitude of use, I have l Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 9, 1921.

l: Application filed October 19, 19.20. Serial No. 417,907. v

shown the'frame of a length to hold four 'l initial plates. Ordinarily only three initial plateswill be required, and in such a case, 'the fourth space may be closed by a blank plate or 4as shown in the illustration by two posite ends of the monogram.

After the initial plates have into the frame in the proper order, abacking plate 12 is preferably slid longitudinally into theY frame over the backs of the initial plates so as to hold the same in their prearranged relation while the frame is being engaged'` with the' supporting base plate.

This supporting base plate is"designated 13a-nd is shown as shoulderedv or undercut at its upper and, lower rearward edges at 14 to receive the inturned longitudinal upper and`lower flanges 15 at the back ofthe frame. The base plate isV also shown as shouldered vor undercut at one end at l6;in

Fig. '2, and the frame as having a rearwardbeen slipped- 4blank plates 11, half the size of the initial 'l plates and positioned preferably at the op` At the opposite end 'of the frame the flanges are interrupted, or in other words, the frame is left open at'thisV point asshown at 18 so .thatit can be slid ,v

lengthwise over the `base plate. When soV engaged 4over the base plate, it is preferably j held in this position by means of a catch l provided by a `spring lipj 19 which snaps overthe adjoiningend of the base plate.

Thus whenv the letters are assembled in the frame and the frame Vis slipped length--V wise over the base plate into the nal. posi-` tion where the frame covers and lconceals l the base plate, vthe lparts will interlock toy holdthemin rthis position. Should it befcome necessary, however, to open the framev I for the purpose of changing the letters or the like, this Vcanjbe done by springing'the f l.

lip 19 away from the adjacent end of the.

base plate and then slipping one part 'longij-j tudinally 'with respect to the other part,-v this action being facilitated by the engage' ment of a suitable tool Awith a notch 20 pro-` vided in the back of the baseplate near the end thereof. Y l Y "The base plate may beattached to its sup.-

port in various ways, and for this purpose I ordinarily employl a fastening bolt having form of a screw bolt 21 having an angular head 22 seated in a countersunk angular portion 23 in the front side of the base plate and an angular rearwardly tapering shank 24 projecting rearwardly through an angular opening 25 in the base plate.

T his form of fastening is usually employed where the bolt must pass through a metal sheathing 26 and through a wooden or other reinforcement 2T at the back of such sheathing. ln such a casethe` angular corners of the tapered shank cut into the metal of the sheathing more or less and hence serve to hold or anchor the bolt and the base plate carried thereby against turning.

The fastening illustrated in Figs. l and 5 is intended primarily for use where the bolt need pass only through a metal wall and cannot be conveniently engaged at the inner end. This fastening consists of a spring metal bolt having an angular head V28 seated in the angular recess in the base plate and rearwardly projecting tapered spring arms 29 which are forced rearwardly through the angular opening 3() provided in the metal supporting wall 81, said arms being bowed outwardly as indicated at 32, so as by their spring action to interlock with the supporting vwall when forced in the .position shown in F ig. il.

ln Fig. 8, which is an enlargement of the lower portion of Fig. 3,1 have shown how the n flange 15, at the back of the frame is thinner than tl e undercut portion at the rear of the base plate, so that therewill be a slight clearance between the frame and the support to which the device is attached. rlhis enables the frame to be readily slid'endwise over the lbase 'plate after the base plate has been being slid into place.

. trates how'the undercut portions at the back affixed to thesupport andprevents the frame from scratching the support as the same is This view also illusof the base plate maybe inclined or cut on a is shown as slightly wider than the two elebevel so as to operate as wedges to force the parts into what is practically a solid mass.

In this view l have further Vshown how a rounded groove or channel 35 may be formed interiorly in the body portion of the frame between the front and back flanges to receive the edge ofthe backing plate 12 and the reduced edge of trie base plate. This groove ments which it receives so as to assist in the forward wedging action referred to.

The base plate may, if found desirable, be provided with screw holes such as I have shown at 33 in F ig. 6, enabling the same to be secured by screws in place of or in additionto the securing bolt described.

In Fig. 7 l have shown the base plate 12 as having recessesV 84 at its ends, which enable-the insertion of a tool point into engagernent with the letter plates at the end of the frame to force said plates firmly to their seats. The forward end of the backing plate may be beveled, if desired, to enable it to pass readily over the letter plates.

The base plate preferably matches the open end of the frame, as shown in Fig. 2, so as to form in eHect a rearward continuation of the end of the frame so that both ends of the device will be fullv closed. In this view, the base plate is also shown as provided with a slight projection or lug 86 over which the tongue 19 at the end of the frame will snap to secure the parts together. rlhe open end ofthe frame is preferably cut down to a point substantially in line with the groove 35 in the opposite sides of the frame.

lWhat l claim is:

1. The combination of a base plate having under-cut longitudinal edges at the back thereof, means for supporting said base plate on a desired object, a relatively thin open frame having inwardly extending confining flanges at the front thereof, a plurality of selected members filling the frame and bearing against said flanges,said frame having inturned flanges at the back thereof'to slide beneath the undercut edges of the base plate, which flanges are interrupted at one end of the frame to enable the frame with the members in position therein being slid into position covering the base plate and said frame being provided at the open end referred to with a catch interlocking over the adjacent end of the base plate when the frame is shifted into position fully covering the base plate. o

2. The combination of claim 1 with shoulders on the frame and base plate interlocking when the frame is positioned over the lbase plate to secure said parts in suchl relation.`

3. The combination of claimy 1 with a spring lip provided at the openend of theV frame to snap over the adjacent end of the base plate when the frame slid into position thereover. Y f

4. The combination of claim 1 with a backing plate interposed between the elements and the base plate and arranged to hold the elements in the frame kwhile the frame is being slid over the base plate.

5. The combination of claim 1 with a backing plate interposed between the elements and the base plate and arranged to hold the elements in the frame while the frame is being slid over the base plate, saidebacking plate having a beveled edge at the forward end thereof to thrust the membersA outward in the frame against the confining flanges aforesaid. e

6. The combination' of claim 1 wherein the supporting means consists of an element having a tapered angular shank held-against turning in the base plate and arranged to prevent turning of the base plate with respect to the support.

7. The combination of claim l wherein ics the supporting means consists of an element having a tapered angular shank held against turning in the base plate and arranged to prevent turning of the base plate with respect to the support, said shank being made up of spaced spring arms.

8. A device of the character described comprising a base plate having an angular sided opening therethrough provided with a countersunk portion at the front of the base plate, a fastening bolt having a head seated in said countersunk portion and ay rearwardly tapering angular shank projecting through said angular opening, said base plate having further undercut parallel edges,

a thin open frame having inwardly extend? ing confining flanges at the front thereof and inwardly extending flanges at the rear thereof to engage beneath the undercut edges of the base, and selected members held in the frame between the base plate and the confining flanges aforesaid.

9. A device of the character described comprising a base plate having an angular sided opening therethrough provided with a countersunk portion at the front of the base plate, a fastening bolt having a head seated in said countersunk portion and a rearwardly tapering angular shank projecting through said angular opening, said base plate having further undercut parallel edges, a thin open frame having inwardly extending confining flanges at the front thereof and inwardly extending flanges at the rear rthereof to engage beneath the undercut edges of the base, and selected members held in the frame between the base plate and the confining flanges aforesaid, and a backing plate at the rear of the selected mem'- bers and between said members and the base plate.

10. ln a device of the character described, a base plate adapted to be secured to a support and having undercut rearward edges, a frame adapted to receive interchangeable initial plates and having flanges to engage over the undercut edges ofthe base plate,

said frame being partly open at one end to enable endwise engagement of the saine over the base plate and provided at said end with a spring lip, and a lug on the forward face ofthe base plate positionedto be engaged by said spring lip.

ln ader-rice of the character described, a base plate adapted to be secured to a suppcr: and having undercut rearward edges, a frame adapted to receive interchangeable initial plates and having flanges to engage over the undercut edges of the base plate, said frame being partly open at one end to enable endwise engagement of the same over the base plate, said base plate being arranged to support the rearward flanges of the frame free of contact with the support to which the base plate is applied. Y

12. In a device of the character described, a baseplate adapted to be secured to a sup'- port and having undercut rearward edges, a

frame adapted to receive interchangeable initial plates and having flanges to engage over the undercut edges of the base plate, said' frame being partly open at one end to enable endwise engagement of the same over the base plate, said frame further having an internal groove formed in the body of the same forward of the rear flanges aforesaid to receive the edge of the base plate.

13. In a device of the character described, a base plate adapted to be secured to a support and having undercut rearward edges, a frame adapted to receive interchangeable initial plates and having flanges to engage over the undercut edges of the base plate, said frame being partly open at one end to enable endwise engagement of the same over the base plate, said frame further having an internal groove formed in the body'of the same forward of the rear flanges aforesaid to receive the Aedge ofthe base plate, and a backing plate interposed between the initial plates and the base plate and received in said groove.

14. ln a device of the character described, a base plate adapted to be secured to a support and having undercut rearward edges,

la frame adapted to receive interchangeable initial plates and having flanges to engage cver the undercut edges of the base plate, said frame being partly open at one end to enable endwise engagement of the same over the base plate, and a backing 'plate interposed in the frame between the initial plates and the base plate and having a recessat ene or beth ends of the same.

15. ln a device of the character described a base plate adapted to be secured to a support and having undercut rearwardedges, a member to fit over said base plate and having flanges to engage behind the under-cut edges of the base plate, said member being partlyopen at one end to enable endwise engagement of the same .over the base plater and provided at said end with one element of a spring catch, the companion element of saidspring catch being located on the base plate in position to be engaged by and interloclred with the first element when. them-em-l ber is slid endwise over-the base plate.

ln witness whereof, l have hereunto set my hand this 14th day of October, 1920.

WILLIAM w. warrnns. 

